This review of Pro Compression socks is long overdue. I received a pair of compression socks of Pro Compression back in January. I wanted to do a thorough testing of the socks because I was interested in testing claims that compression socks speed recovery. The severe cold winter weather prevented me from running outside for several weeks, so the testing of the socks took a while to do because I wanted to do a couple of really long hard runs.

At every race I’ve been to, there are runners wearing these-now-ubiquitous compression socks. They swear by the power of the socks. Compression socks help them run and recover faster. I was curious. Is this true? Or is this simply a placebo effect, where the belief in the socks’ efficacy cause people to perceive a difference when none actually existed?

I was interested in conducting my own self-experimentation with Pro Compression socks. I received a pair of powder blue Marathon socks. I wore the socks (usually just one of the Pro Compression sock, more on this) on different days after different types of run. Because I can’t stand getting too warm while I’m running, I did not test the socks while running to see if it improved my performance. I knew if I ran with the socks, I would get too hot and quit prematurely. Instead I tested for Pro Compression for recovery benefits.

After a training run, I either did not wear the Pro Compression socks to observe recovery with no socks or wore ONE Pro Compression sock on one leg and ONE full length ski sock (no compression) on the other leg. I’m a scientist in real life so I like having lots of experimental controls (hence, the “placebo” sock). But I also know that this foray into self-experimentation is full of confounds; for example this is not a double-blind procedure where the researcher and the participants have no knowledge of which condition (compression sock or non-compression sock) that the participant was in. I was fully aware which leg that the compression sock and the control non-compression sock looks nothing like the compression sock, but I did the best that I could do in under these circumstances. Anyway, there were several days of my wearing mismatching socks around the house. Ben just shook his head and thought I was crazy. I really wanted to do this because I wanted to compare how each tired leg felt after several hours of being ensconced in a compression sock or not having any compression at all. I felt this method provided me with better information because presumably each leg is equally tired and if there is a benefit, then one leg should feel better. I couldn’t guarantee that the legs would be equally tired after different sessions. If I felt a benefit (or a lack of benefit) of the compression socks, I couldn’t be sure different levels of fatigue played a role when comparing between sessions. I wore the socks after different types of runs (short speed work, long slow runs, and long hard fast runs) and on rest days when I had plantar fasciitis. For all but one of these runs, I ran in the morning and wore the socks from after my shower and until I went to sleep at night (I don’t like wearing socks when I’m sleeping). I wore the socks all night long after one long hard run.

I did not notice any recovery benefits after short speed work and long slow runs. Based on my experience and the literature, I don’t think compression socks do much when there is no damage. I also did not observe any recovery benefit after long hard runs, but this could be because 1) I did not wear the socks for a sufficient period of time (I wore the socks for hours during the day, but perhaps I would have needed to wear the socks throughout the night as well) and 2) perhaps I did not exercise hard enough to reap the benefits of compression. None of my runs were longer than 10 miles. As I said before, the evidence to support the efficacy of compression socks came from studies where participants exercised pretty much to exhaustion. I was tired, but not that tired. I did, however, found the feeling of compression around my calves to be highly comforting after a long hard run.

Where I did experience the greatest benefit of Pro Compression socks was when I suffered from plantar fasciitis. When I get plantar fasciitis, it hurts to stand for extended periods of time and to walk/run a lot. I found that the Pro Compression socks made the pain far more tolerable. I was able to stand and walk much longer than when I wasn’t wearing the compression sock. The compression in the socks seemed to provide additional support for the weakened muscle in the foot, which then provided relief. I tested the idea that the compression sock provided additional support by taping some RockTape on my right foot. I taped my foot so I got the similar feeling of compression and support from RockTape as I got from Pro Compression. Et voila, the pain subsided and my foot felt better. Additional support either from compression socks or kinesio tape relieves plantar fasciitis pain.

The Good

Pro Compression socks are high quality socks. I’m very impressed with the material and its durability.

Pro Compression helped me with dealing plantar fasciitis pain. I could stand and walk longer when wearing the socks than when I did not have the socks on.

It feels really good to wear after a long hard run. When my legs are totally trashed and I can feel them throbbing, the feeling of compression feels very comforting and soothing. So much so that even though I usually don’t sleep with socks, I slept with Pro Compression socks on after one particular hard race.

The Bad

The scientific evidence for the benefits of compression socks with respect to better performance and enhanced recovery is inclusive.

Personally I don’t feel that I experienced any recovery benefits after normal training runs and races. I’ve already laid out the caveats of this particular opinion, but with all the hype over compression socks, it’s very easy to think that they may be a panacea. Compression socks may provide recovery benefits, but its effect is more subtle and limited in scope.

The Ugly

None

The Verdict

I absolutely wear Pro Compression socks whenever I feel plantar fasciitis pain. Currently I don’t feel the need to wear the socks after my runs because I don’t experience the benefits myself. It could be that I don’t run enough and once I start marathon training, then I will experience its benefits. If I do have a particularly hard run and my calves are throbbing, I do find wearing the socks soothing, even though I don’t perceive any noticeable increase in recovery benefits either in terms of speed of recovery or less fatigue in the following days.

I know several runners who do regularly wear compression socks and swear by them. If you feel that they work, then they probably do (either for real or as a placebo). In any event, compression socks don’t harm or hinder you. I found the experience of wearing Pro Compression highly interesting and I look forward to doing more self-experimentation with them in the future when I start running more miles. Along with testing the socks during marathon training, I’m interested in looking at compression socks as an injury preventative measure. You can expect more reviews and analyses from me in the future.

If you’re interested in trying out a pair of Pro Compression socks for yourself, you can enter my giveaway (Thanks, Pro Compression!) and/or buy a pair for 40% off at Pro Compression with this coupon code: BLG14. The giveaway ends on May 7th at 11:59 pm.

Post navigation

I’m actually glad you posted this now. I have been feeling the onset of plantar coming back on and I did pack a pair of the compression sleeves with me for my extended trip. I am going to put them on and try to remember to wear them more often. In my experience the plantar stems from calf tension and the sleeves do tend to alleviate a bit of that. Thanks for the great and honest (and scientific post).

I like that you give both pros and cons in this review. I wear compression socks a lot during/after long runs for marathon training, and sometimes wear the socks during marathons. I never really know for sure if they are helping or not, but my legs seem to feel better when I do wear them…..maybe that’s the placebo effect talking. At the very least, they’ve provided a little extra warmth for cold weather running!

I JUST started wearing them bc I was skeptical. One of my friends who races frequently told me she no longer races without them… so I gave them a go and I LOVE them!!! I order a new pr for each big race I do. I do notice they help with recovery.

Good review! I love compression socks (sleeves actually). When I race in a half a wear them and after long training runs and to work. I just love how they feel. One thing the studies may not have looked at yet are the longterm benefits. I had to get some vein work done in my legs a few years back and the doctor recommended I wear compression socks as much as possible as they keep the circulation in the deep veins where it’s needed.

Yup, these studies look at only a part of what compression socks could do. There are tons of studies demonstrating that medical compression socks work for patients with circulatory problems. But it is a question of whether normal people without medical issues also reap some sort of benefit.

What a comprehensive review! I have two pairs of compression socks that I started to wear after long runs during marathon training. I typically wear them for recovery after runs longer than 21k. They make me feel better and I thought I was recovering faster but I’ve often wondered if it was a placebo effect. I also can’t wear them while running (too hot).

I left a comment days ago when I initially entered but don’t see it so just in case, let me leave one again. Yes, I have tried compression socks, I have them as well as sleeves but not the Pro Compression brand which I’d love to try.